Cigarette package



Dec. 9, 1941. c. L. WILSON- 2,265,828

CIGARETTE PACKAGE Original Filed April 25, 1938 Patented Dec. 9, 1941 CIGARETTE PACKAGE Carroll L. Wilson, Framingliam Center, Masa, assignor to Electra Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Original application April 25, 1938, Serial No.

1939, Serial No. 266,741

3 Claims.

This invention relates to packages, and with regard to certain more specific features, to packages of cigarettes.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 204,093, filed April 25, 1938, now Patentv No. 2,202,280, entitled Cigarette package, which application'is itself in part a continuation of part of my application Serial No. 67,611, filed March 7, 1936, now Patent No. 2,202,279, likewise entitled Cigarette package.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a cigarette package including as an element thereof a captive closure device which is adapted to be opened for the removal of a cigafette; and closed thereafter; a cigarette package of the class described, including a captive-closure means, which is formed of cheapI'iii-ateiial whereby it can be discarded without substaiitialwastewhen the package is emptied; the proyisionyin a package of cigarettes of theclass described, of. a captive closure member,

which, when opened, permits 'the withdrawal of V I cigarettes imperfect condition, and which, when closed," retains-'th'efjcigarette in perfect condition within the package; l-theprovision of a cigarette package of theclassnescribed which is substantially rigid,-;wherebyf the contained cigarettes are notl-ikelyto bedeforh ed while the package is in 8;, thespigqyision of a cigarette package of the typ e ,,described whiclgdoes not involve substantial changes in manufacturing procedure over the packages in generaluseat this time, and hence requires no substantial deviation from the present'routine for the packaging of cigarettes; the provision ,of a cigarette package qfthe class described, including a captive cliisure element, whe'reiri'the captive-closure element'is so disposed andponstrujctedithat itmay readily be' opened by the "user, ordinarilyiwith a single hand; the provision of a" cigarette package of the class describedfwherein'means are. provided for maintaining thepa 'ckage in a moisture-proof, sealed condition, prior ,toits original opening, and substantially so, after its original opening; the provision of a cigarette package of the class describedwhich, when opened for the withdrawal of cigarettes, is provided with notches or removed portions which permit of easy grasping and removal of the cigarettes, particularly the first few cigarettes from a full package; and the provision of a cigarette package of the class described which The invention accordingly comprises the ele- Divided and this application April 8,

ments and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

Fig. 5 is a. diagrammatic cross-section of the package of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic cross-section of'an alternative structure for the package of Fig. 1, and other packages.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing. I

The cigarette, on account of its peculiar size and shape and construction, presents an unusual packaging problem. Customarily, a group of twenty cigarettes, each of which is approximately 2%" long by A" in diameter, are compressed into a bundle approximately 2%" high by 2" long by /8 wide. This bundle is then wrapped by first enclosing it in a piece of paper-backed metal foil, with the paper side in contact with the cigarette. Outside of this wrapping is positioned a paper label, which is usually folded in and sealed at the bottom of the package. Across the top of the package is positioned the Internal Revenuestamp. The entire package is then wrapped in a covering-of Cellophane or similar so-called moisture-proof, transparent covering material.

Under certain circumstances, the Cellophane wrapping is dispensed with, and the paperlabel wrapper is folded and sealed across the top as well as the bottom of the package.

Either of the types of packaging just described will hereinafter be referred to as the usual type of cigarette package.

Because of their peculiar shape and structure, cigarettes are generally withdrawn from their package through one end of the package, which is usually one end of the top of the package. Ordinarily, the user opens the package in the following manner: The user first tears open the top of the Cellophane covering, at least to the extent of exposing one end of the top of the package. Sometimes the entire Cellophane wrapper is discarded; at other times the Cellophane is retained in position intact, with the exception of the torn corner- .After' thus opening the Cellophane wrapper, the user then tears away the paper-backed foil, or the paper label, at one side of the revenue stamp at the top of the package, thus leaving a relatively small opening through which cigarettes can be withdrawn.

This manner of opening the usual type of cigarette package will'hereinafter be referred to as the usual manner of opening a cigarette package."

The usual manner of opening the usual package of cigarettes leaves an open hole at the top of the package. Through this hole there are discharged objectionable shreds of tobacco and the like into the pocket or pocketbook of the user. Further, extraneous matterfrequently enters the package through the hole and soils or damages the remaining cigarettes in the package. Furthermore, with the customary opening only on the top of the cigarette package, it is diflicult to remove the first few cigarettes from the package without tearing or otherwise damaging either those cigarettes or the cigarettes remaining in the package. Furthermore, the usual type of package is not suillciently rigid to keep cigarettes therein from being crushed or bent, particularly when the package is partially empty.

Various devices have heretofore been proposed which attempt to provide a lid or cover for the usual type ofcigarette package, which lid or cover can be closed after one or more cigarettes have been withdrawn, and which lid or cover, in addition, protects the nonrigid cigarette package from deformation. Most of these devices, however, have constituted extraneous appliances for use with the usual type of cigarette package. Thus, with each additional fresh package of cigarettes, the appliance has to be fitted, which is objectionable to the user. Furthermore, these appliances are relatively expensive, which limits the extent of their use. Furthermore such appliances undesirably increase the bulk and weight of a package of cigarettes. Furthermore, such appliances are likely to damage the package of cigarettes when they are being applied to the package,unless the user has acquired an unusual proficiency in such application.

The present invention proceeds on an entirely different principle than that of the extraneous appliances. In the present invention, the closure means for the opening at the end of the usual package of cigarettes is made integral with the package, forming a captive part of the same when it is sold in trade. Further, the present invention provides, as a part more or less integral with said closure means, means which increase the rigidity of the cigarette package to the point that it no longer can readily be bent or broken, thus preserving the cigarettes in their original shape. These basic principles run throughout the several embodiments of the invention which are to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a package of cigarettes embodying the present invention. The package is of the size and shape of the usual package of cigarettes; in fact, there is substantially no difference in appearance between the package illustrated'in Fig.

1 and the usual package of cigarettes, except as pointed out hereinafter.

The package as illustrated in Fig. l is in condition for sale. It includes an outer Cellophane or like transparent moisture-proof covering wrapper indicated by numeral I, an inner usually relatively light paper wrapper 2, which carries the printed descriptions, etc., and which will hereinafter be referred to as the label wrapper, and the customary Internal Revenue stamp 3. The label wrapper 2 carries a diagonal line of perforations the package, in such regions as are .not covered by the stamp I, is a combined closure and reinforcing wrapping or container element indicated by numeral 4 (Fig. 2). This combined closure and reinforcing element forms one of the principal features of the present invention and will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

- In the package illustrated in Fig. 1', the paperbacked metal foil heretofore used in the usual type of cigarette package has been dispensed with, because its function of making the package relatively rigid is taken over by the element 4, while the Cellophane wrapper I and label wrapper 2 provide suitable moisture-proof characteristics for the package. It has been found that the paper-backed foil layer may readily be dispensed with in packages embodying certain forms of the present invention. However, for additional rigidity, and additional moisture-proofness, it may sometimes be advisable to use the customary layer of paper-backed foil, as will be pointed out in greater detail hereinafter.

Fig, 2 indicates the package of Fig. 1 in opened condition, ready for the withdrawal of a cigarette. For clarity of illustration, the contained cigarettes are not shown in Fig. 2. In the course of opening the package, the Cellophane wrapper I has been removed, and the label wrapper 2 is now outermost. The comer of the label wrapper has been torn off along perforation line 50. Numeral 8 indicates a closure device, which comprises part of the element 4. The closure 6,

which is captive within the package, may be opened to permit the withdrawal of cigarettes and closed to retain the cigarettes within the package, and shut the package.

The element 4, together with the stamp 3, and the Cellophane wrapper i, form the closure means for the top of the saleable package. The bottom of the package is usually closed by folded-over portions of the label wrapper 2, indicated by numeral I in Fig. 3. These portions 1 are pasted or glued together, to form a permanent bottom closure for the package, which aids in retaining the desired moisture within the opened cigarette package."

Fig, 4 is a development of the element 4 as used in the present invention. The element 4 is preferably made of a light-weight stiff stock, although numerous materials may be used within the scope of the present invention. The material should, however, be sufficiently still to impart a satisfactory degree of rigidity to the finished package. Suitable stocks, I have found, include the so-called folder stock, which is about 0.008" thick, card stock, which is about 0.009" thick, tag stock, which is about 0.014" thick, and the so-called red rope folder stock, which is considerably thicker than any of the foregoing.

Returning to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the element 4 comprises a number of regions secured aaeaeas throughout the drawingto indicate fold lines,

" particularly in the development views. Such fold lines prior to their first bending, usually comprisescore lines impressed into the still stock.

The regions include front and back rectangular portions indicated by numerals 8, narrower side rectangular portions indicated by numerals 8, and a tab' l8 which is adapted to be pasted or otherwise secured to the free edge of the opposite front or back portion 8, in order to make a rectangular box-like object.

The side portion 8 intermediate the portions 8 has a fold line a short distance below its top. Cuts 52 relieve the top portion 53 of the side 8 from the portions 8, permitting it to hinge on the fold line 5 l To the upper edge of the portion 58 there is hinged, by a fold line 54, a cover 55, the forward edge 56 of which is desirably curved. Wings 16 are hinged by means of fold lines l5 to the sides of the top portion 55. The wings iii are of sector-shape, somewhat bulged from true circularity. Pasting tabs 51 are hinged by fold lines 58 to the opposite edges of the wings l6. The tabs 51 are relieved, in effect, from the upper edges of the sections 8, providing notches 59 in such sections 8. From the portion 53, along the fold lines 54, a tab 60 is relieved or out. To the upper edge of the other side portion 9 there is optionally hinged a relatively short rectangular top portion 6|, although this portion 6| may be omitted if desired, particularly if a metal foilbacked label wrapper is used.

In assembling this embodiment. the wings it are bent downwardly along the folds. l5, and the pasting tabs 51 are bent backwardly along the folds 58. The top 55 is then bent downwardly on the fold lines 58, bringing the tabs 5! into juxtaposition with the edges of the upper side section 53, where they are pasted (see Fig. 3). The tab 60 is at this time retained with the top 55, although it is later relieved therefrom. The box is then formed by suitable folding of the sections 8 and 9 and pasting of the tab I 8 to the free edge of section 8. The top portion 8! is then bent downwardly to cover the remainder of the top of the box not covered by the portion 55. In final assembly, the curved edge 56 of the portion 55 is desirably positioned above, or outside of the jux-= taposed edge of the top portion 6!. This constitutes the assembled stifi stock portion of the package.

Following as closely as possible to theusual routine of packaging cigarettes, as practiced in most localities, the label wrapper 2 is next applied around the stifi stock box, leaving the bottom edges of the label wrapper open. The

package is then passed under a suitable delivery device, which inserts the bundle of cigarettes into the package through the open bottom. It will be noted that there is no bottom to the stifi stock element, and it therefore ofi'ers no obstruction to this manner of packaging cigarettes. After the cigarettes are in the package, the bottom edges 1 of the label wrapper 2 are folded into position and glued, thereby closing the package. The label wrapper 2, it will be understood, is positioned outside the wings I5 of the stifi box ele-- ment.

Next, the Internal Revenue stamp is pasted across the top of the package. In this embodiment, the Internal Revenue stamp 3 is preferably pasted on the end of the package, retaining the 7 used, or theCellophane wrapper, .or both, are relied upon ,for holding the closure, 8, comprising the top portion 55, in closed position.

The finished package, as has been indicated, is illustrated in Fig. 1.; To open this package, the comer portion of the label wrapper 2 above the perforation line 58 is torn ofi, together with either the entire Cellophanewrapper I or a similar corner portion of the Cellophane wrapper I. A fingernail is then inserted to relieve the tab 88. Thereafter, the, closure portion 6 is opened along the foldline 5|, to the position indicated in Fig. 2, when cigarettes maybe removed. In this embodiment, it will be seen, the closure portion is opened in-such a manner that the fingers of the user may grasp the side as well as the end plished without removing said-wings [8 from between the front or back 8 and the wrapper 2. This embodiment may readily be operated by a single band of the user.

The stifl stock 4 in the package provides the package with greater rigidity than'is encountered in the usual type of package provided with a paper-backed foil wrapping, and it has been found that such stiff. stockmay be prepared in the manner described at a cost usually somewhat less than the cost of the paper-backed foil wrapping.

Theclosure, it will be noted, is captive within the cigarette package, and is not likely to come loose therefrom. 1 Nor need it be applied specifically to every package of cigarettes when the user purchases cigarettes, for one of. such closures is provided in every package of cigarettes as a part of the package.

If it is desired to use paper-backed foil in addition to the stiff stock element, the label wrapper, and the Cellophane wrapper, it may be done, preferably by wrapping a paper-backed foil wrapper, indicated by numeral 20 in Fig. 6, on the stiff stock 4 before the application of the label wrapper 2. This is usually, and most preferably done by folding the ends of the paperavailable on the market. Fig. 6 indicates diagrammatically the plies that would thus be present in the finished package.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a rectangular package for cigarettes or the like, enclosing means comprising an inner and outer layer, the outer layer constituting the label wrapper of said package and being folded over and sealed at the side of the package over the inner layer, said label wrapper also being folded over and sealed at one end of the package and being provided with a line of tearable perforatlons at the end, a closure means formed in the inner layer beneath the perforations and defined by adjacent portions of the top. side, front and back walls of the package. the inner layer constituting a stiff stock adapted to reinforce the rigidity of the package, the closure means being captive within the package and substantially coextensive with the line of perforations in the 'outer layer and constituted by a foldable portion of the still stock layer integrally formed with the side wall only and having a continuation of the side wall provided with laterally extending wing portions which, when closed. constitutes a portion of the top, front and back walls of the package.

2. In a package as set forth in claim 1, in

adjacent side wall.

CARROLL L. WILSON. 

